This week, we’re taking a breath. EU Confidential is stepping away from summits, trade battles, and late-night trilogues — and turning to something more refreshing: books. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by audio producer (and self-confessed book nerd) Dionisios Sturis for this special summer reading edition. From sharp political non-fiction to playful fiction, poetry and literary escapes, we’re sharing what EU insiders are packing in their holiday bags — and what they think you should read this summer. You’ll hear from: -Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat - Jessica Rosencrantz, Sweden’s minister for EU affairs - Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport - And from listeners and colleagues with their own smart, silly, brainy and bloody picks We also speak with Jeroen Reijnen, author of "Big in Brussels" — an insider’s guide to surviving (and thriving) in the EU bubble. So pour yourself something cold, put your phone on silent, and dive in.And here is our summer reading list: Bonjour Tristesse – Françoise Sagan Killing Thatcher – Rory Carroll Do Not Disturb – Michela Wrong The Great Game – Peter Hopkirk The Situation Room – George Stephanopoulos Autocracy, Inc. – Anne Applebaum I Giorni di Vetro (The Days of Glass) – Nicoletta Verna Dak li l-Lejl Iħallik Tgħid (What the Night Lets You Say)– Pierre J. Mejlak The Vegetarian – Han Kang Human Acts – Han Kang Tatendrang (Urge for Action) – Theresia Töglhofer The Spy Who Came in from the Cold – John le Carré Perfection – Vincenzo Latronico Prague – Arthur Phillips Mrs. Dalloway – Virginia Woolf Common Sense: A Political History – Sophia Rosenfeld I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There – Róise Lanigan The Redbreast – Jo Nesbø The Kingdom – Jo Nesbø The Kindly Ones – Jonathan Littell The Empusium – Olga Tokarczuk Tell Me Everything – Elizabeth Strout There Lives the Young Girl in Me Who Will Not Die – Tove Ditlevsen Notes from a Big Country / I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Bill Bryson H is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices